How do I find out the value of a NASCAR diecast?

The easiest way to determine the relative value of a particular diecast is to use eBay, assuredly the biggest marketplace for non-new diecasts. You may be able to gather a general idea of diecast’s worth by the prices listed on active auctions. However, that’s far from a foolproof method because many sellers don’t know the relative value of the diecasts they are listing and may overinflate the “Buy It Now” or base auction price.

The best way to find the relative value of a particular NASCAR diecast is to scour eBay’s list of auctions in which that diecast has been sold, which is marked by searching for “completed items.” For instance, if you want to know the general worth of a Brian Vickers 2007 Red Bull 1/24, use that as your search term but limit the results solely to “completed items.” As of this writing, two such Vickers Red Bull diecasts were sold, via auction, in the last three months. One listing was sold for $122.50 and another for $126.50. Those figures suggest your Vickers Red Bull 1/24 is worth about $125 if you plan to sell it or just want to know its general value. Do keep in mind diecast values can change over time. For instance, Casey Atwood’s 2003 Mountain Dew Livewire 1/24 could be bought just a few years ago for the same price as a case of cheap beer. Recently the relative value of this car has shot up with some examples selling for anywhere from $50 to $100.

The website Diecast Registry, which requires a subscription, allows users to search for the value of specific diecasts. It is advisable to still compare Diecast Registry’s listed value to eBay’s “sold” listings for any specific diecast.

It’s also worth noting that this is all relative. The true value of your diecast is how much someone is willing to pay for it. Even if it’s not a particularly sought-after diecast, its value to others, or yourself, may be higher than auction listings may reveal.

How can I remove cigarette smoke or other smells from a diecast?

Many collectors have purchased diecasts online or through avenues and taken them home to discover they carry an unpleasant smell like cigarette smoke. One of the most effective ways to remove unwanted odors from diecasts is to place them in their box or another somewhat sealed surface with a dryer sheet or two for a few days. NASCAR Diecast Mag’s specialty isn’t olfactory science, but dyer sheets will generally rid diecasts of any unwanted smells. Yes, they might smell like a dryer sheet for a few days, but that’s better than stale cigarette smoke, and that scent will quickly dissipate over a few days.

Should I keep or throw away my NASCAR diecast boxes?

Though keeping or throwing away a diecast’s original box and packaging is a personal decision, it’s highly advisable you keep the original box whenever possible.

The most notable advantage is a diecast without its original box has significantly less value in the collector market. For instance, a diecast may fetch $80 in its original, undamaged box. That same diecast might only sell for half of that, or less, if it is sold “loose,” or without its box. Even if you don’t plan on selling your collection, keeping diecast packaging is still advisable. Though morbid, if you die, your family will be able to sell your collection at a higher price if the diecasts include their original boxes.

There are some other advantages to keeping boxes, namely storage and protection. If you move to another home, NASCAR diecast boxes are tailored specifically to accommodate and protect diecasts. Trying to pack and ship diecasts without their original box can be a struggle, and often it leaves them far more vulnerable to being damaged during a move. Original diecast boxes also ease storage. This can be particularly useful if your collection has outgrown the amount of space you have to display diecasts, and some need to be stored away.

Ease of storage and protection are vital reasons as to why the value of a diecast is far better when it’s sold in its original box. A loose diecast is far harder to ship or transport, and doing so leaves it highly susceptible to damage in the process.

There’s also something to be said for collectors who simply like the styling of NASCAR diecast boxes. That may be reason enough for them to keep them.  

Of course, the biggest disadvantage to keeping diecast boxes is storing them. Even relatively small collections of 1/24 scale diecasts require lots of space for box storage. This is why some choose to throw them away or sell them online (selling them is suggested as there is usually a market for them — just don’t expect to recoup the potential funds you’re leaving on the table if you decide to sell the diecast car).

A collector might also get rid of diecast boxes because they never intend to sell any or all their collection, and they don’t want the hassle of storing boxes. However, circumstances can always change, and one day you may find a want or need to downsize your collection.

Ultimately, the decision is up to you, but whenever possible, you should keep your NASCAR diecast boxes.

How should I store NASCAR diecast boxes?

A damaged box can lower the value of a diecast almost as much, if not as much, as not having the original packaging. Diecast boxes should be kept away from moisture, direct sunlight, areas where they could be damaged by items being stored on top of them or moved near them, any insects, rodents, pets, or pests, or anything else that could potentially cause damage.

Each collector’s living and storage situation differs, so the best strategy is to find a place to store your boxes in a protective vessel, like a hard plastic tote, away from any elements and intrusions by people or animals. This could be in your attic, provided it’s well insulated and you don’t have a rodent or insect issue, a basement, an unused closet, or even a well-protected storage unit.

Will taking my 1/24 diecasts out of the box and displaying them lower their value?

Taking diecasts out of their original box and displaying them will not decrease their value provided the car and box are kept in good condition. With most diecasts being sold online, you’ll likely need to take it out of its packaging anyway for photos to accompany your sale listing.

A box with typical wear and tear of being opened and stored does not typically lower the value, even if there might be a few creases on the fold lines of the box. Of note, the paper used to wrap many new diecast boxes can be discarded. It would be practically impossible to save this, and its absence won’t lower the diecast’s value.

Should I keep my 1/64 diecasts in the packaging or take them out?

Displaying 1/24 NASCAR diecasts is generally easier as these models are designed to be removed from the box without damaging the overall packaging. Though some 1/64 scale diecasts are sold in similar “window boxes,” many are sold in blister packs or blister/cardboard packaging, which effectively requires damaging the package, often to the point it’s rendered useless, to remove the diecast for display. For this reason, many 1/64 collectors opt to keep their diecasts in the blister packs. Like 1/24’s this helps retain the value of the diecast. This packaging often includes an additional card, car hood, or other commemorative item along with the car, which is easily displayed alongside the diecast when they are kept in the package. While these are benefits to keeping 1/64s in their “box,” there are fewer advantages for doing so versus a 1/24 scale.

For example, if you want to display 1/64 diecasts on a wall, you might only be able to fit one-quarter the amount of cars in the same space if they had been removed from the blister pack and put into a display case. Due to their awkward shape, it’s also harder to efficiently store blister packs, and their exposed cardboard can easily become bent, ripped or otherwise damaged in storage, or even displayed hung up on a wall or other exposed form of display. This might be worth it if you plan to sell 1/64s, but keep in mind this scale typically isn’t as sought-after by many collectors, and you stand to generally make less profit anyway.

Ultimately it’s a personal choice. We suggest keeping all “window boxes” for 1/64 diecasts if you display the cars, but for 1/64s sold in blister packs, keeping them in the packaging and efficiently displaying the diecast are almost always at odds.  

Can you make money selling NASCAR diecasts?

Absolutely, but don’t count on every diecast turning a profit. In fact, most diecasts bought when new will only depreciate over time.

Like any collector-driven hobby, there’s no specific strategy to buying or purchasing NASCAR diecasts that will grow in value because what’s most desirable is subjective to each collector, and those opinions, and thus the price collectors are willing to pay, can change over time. However, there are some diecasts that typically offer better profit potential than others. These diecasts are typically from very popular drivers and/or teams (think Chase Elliott), feature popular schemes, are those with low production numbers and prototypes, door numbers or promotional diecasts.

Still, it’s vital to keep in mind that for every diecast purchased when new that greatly increases in value over time, several will only depreciate, negating any true profit. Ultimately, we suggest you buy diecasts to enjoy the hobby and not expect selling them to be consistently profitable.

What model scales are NASCAR diecasts?

NASCAR diecasts have been widely manufactured, from largest to smallest, in 1/144, 1/87, 1/64, 1/43, 1/32, 1/24, and 1/18 scales. For perspective, a 1/144 scale NASCAR diecast is about 1.5 inches in length, while a 1/18 scale spans nearly 12 inches. New NASCAR diecasts are only being produced in two scales, 1/24 and 1/64. A 1/24 scale diecast is about eight inches long, while a 1/64 scale car is comparable to a Matchbox or Hot Wheels diecast size, about three inches in overall length.

What is a diecast DIN?

A DIN is the “Diecast Identification Number,” a unique number assigned to each Action/Lionel diecast beginning in 2006. The DIN, typically a sequence of 21 letters and numbers, reveals a diecast’s production number in the manufacturing run of that particular diecast. The DIN is always the last numbers in the sequence. An example is the DIN: CU2262-3WENNGXXX-00475. The DIN is this sequence is the 00475, meaning this diecast was the 475^th example of the diecast produced, in this case, a production run of 540 units for Noah Gragson’s 2022 Cup Series Wendy’s Chevy Camaro.

Some older diecasts may include a string of numbers or letters, but often these are serial numbers, not specifically a DIN.

Where do I find my diecast’s DIN?

Most diecast’s DIN can be found in the rear window panel, under the rear windshield, and visible when looking down at the top of the diecast for NASCAR cars. There are some exceptions. The DIN on some Raced Win diecasts, which are often covered in confetti, might be in a different location, such as underside of the chassis or on the floor of the cockpit visible from inside a window.

For Truck Series diecasts, the DIN is usually etched on the bottom of the chassis near the rear of the truck.

Does the ‘1 of’ on my diecast box mean its DIN No. 1?

No. A diecast’s DIN is etched somewhere on the car, not the box. If a diecast box states the model is “1 of 624,” that doesn’t mean the diecast was the first produced in the production run, rather, it states this diecast is one example of a production run of 624 units.

Do certain DINs make a diecast more valuable?

Yes. DIN No. 1, the first model produced in a diecast’s production run, and “door numbers” can significantly increase the value of a diecast as many collectors seek out diecasts with these specific DINs.

What is a ‘door number’ NASCAR diecast?

A “door number diecast” is a model in which the diecast’s DIN is the same number as the car’s number. For instance, a 2024 Joey Logano Cup Series diecast with a No. 00022 DIN is a “door number” because Logano’s car number in the Cup Series is No. 22.  

What makes a diecast rare?

The term “rare” is relative, because a NASCAR diecast can be considered rare among collectors even if thousands of models were produced. Typically NASCAR diecasts that are considered rare are those that have a low production run, meaning few examples were produced, or they are not readily found for sale because the collectors that own specific examples do not wish to sell them. Other examples may include diecasts that were never sold to the general public. For instance, those offered only to employees of a NASCAR-sponsoring company or as a promotional item.

It’s also worth noting just because a diecast is older or “vintage,” that doesn’t necessarily increase its value. In fact, diecasts produced during the late 1990s and early 2000s often had such high production numbers they are widely available and thus not rare.

What diecasts are always rare?

Some diecasts will always be considered rare because so few are produced, or they were never readily made available for purchase by collectors. A prime example of a rare diecast is a “prototype.” Only a few of these diecasts will ever be produced of a particular NASCAR car, and they aren’t always sold to collectors. Other rare diecasts include DIN No. 1 or door number examples, as there will only be one of each of these for any particular diecast produced. Promotional diecasts are not always rare, but some can be considered extremely difficult to purchase. These include promotional diecasts that were never sold to the public. A prime example is a Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Team Up To Win Split Silver 1998 1/24 diecast, which was given to GM employees during a 1999 conference and not offered for sale.

What is a prototype NASCAR diecast?

A prototype NASCAR diecast is the first manufactured examples of a particular car that is used in that diecast’s approval process. These prototypes are sent to NASCAR teams, sponsors or other relevant parties to ensure quality and accuracy of the diecast. As such, prototypes essentially serve as a seal of approval for a diecast’s production run to begin so it can be sold to the public.

Typically only a few prototypes of any diecast will exist. As such, they are always considered rare and highly sought after, particularly because not all prototypes will be available for sale to the public. Prototypes are recognizable because they almost always have a sticker across the front or rear windshield with a coded number and no DIN.

How do I know how many examples of a diecast were produced?

Though it varies by brand, a 1/24 scale diecast’s production number can typically be found on the box. It might say “1 of 800,” meaning there are 800 examples of that diecast, or something similar. Not all boxes will include this information, however. In this case, you can search Diecast Registry for that particular diecast and find its production run.

Of note, most 1/64 scale cars do not have published production numbers.

What is a diecast MOQ?

MOQ stands for minimum order quantity. A NASCAR diecast must meet this minimum quantity through pre-order sales to be produced by Lionel. If this minimum quantity is not met, the diecast will not be produced, i.e. it becomes a “DNP.”

What does DNP mean for diecasts?

DNP stands for “did not produce.” As the name suggests, these are diecasts that were never produced, even if they were offered for pre-order. Typically this means the diecast did not meet the MOQ, or minimum order quantity, through pre-order sales, though sometimes diecasts can be offered for pre-orders and then cancelled for licensing issues or other factors.  

What is the MOQ threshold for NASCAR diecasts?

The current minimum order quantity for a 1/24-scale ARC diecast to be produced is 504 examples. The MOQ for an Elite is 100. The MOQ for special finishes of Elite 1/24s is 24. The MOQ for Elite-only 1/24 diecasts is 300. The MOQ for Elite Premier models is 50.

It can get a bit complex, but according to Lionel, a combination of ARC, Elites or special finish diecasts can be added to reach the base MOQ of 504. For example, if there are 340 pre-orders of an ARC, and if the Elite and two special finishes reach the minimum order quantity, that would equal the 504 MOQ to produce the ARC version.

Typically, the MOQ for 1/64-scale diecasts is 1,500.

Can you make or buy custom diecasts?

Yes, you can make custom diecasts yourself, and there are companies that offer custom diecasts for sale. Typically, making your own custom diecasts involves taking apart the diecast. The existing decals and paint are then stripped from the body. The body is then repainted in the appropriate color and decals, which are sold by many companies, are then applied. A sealant is put on to protect the decals, and then the rest of the diecast can be reassembled, including putting the custom body back on the chassis.

There are also many custom diecast makers that will take orders for specific diecasts, or offer customs of NASCAR diecasts that weren’t produced by Lionel or other manufacturers.

Are autographed NASCAR diecasts more valuable?

An autographed NASCAR diecast is almost always more valuable than a non-autographed version. However, most collectors will want proof, like a certificate of authenticity, that the diecast was legitimately signed by the driver, team owner, etc.